Give Thanks – Sermon 26 May, 2013

Give Thanks

Ephesians 1:15-1:23

In 1883 Krakatoa volcanic mountain exploded and erupted in Indonesia sending a huge cloud of dust and ash into the upper atmosphere. This black cloud was carried around the world starting from the immediate regions and reached even to Easter part of USA. It is said that in New England the Sun didn’t rise! The people saw a strange darkness in the morning. So terrified they began to gather in small groups to question what was happening. Slowly, people began to make their way to the churches. By twelve noon every church in New England was filled with people on their knees crying out to God. There were cries for mercy, people begging for forgiveness and others confessing their sins. They say that there were few people who didn’t pray the day the sun didn’t rise. The churches were full until late night.

The following day as the sun began to come up over the horizon, people began to shout and yell praise to God; they clapped, danced and rejoiced because the Sun shined on the land again. As if in one voice, they began to praise the Lord for the sunlight, the warmth and the joy of God’s new day.

So if we be in similar situations what do we do? How do we act?

There are people that are hurting with their own losses; it may be the loss of a family member or friend, the loss of a job, the loss of a relationship, a health issue and sickness. But there is something that we have, that could make a difference.

Ephesians is one of the books written by the Apostle Paul but unlike most of Paul’s other books there is no usual greeting found in the beginning of the book. Also there is the absence of any problems discussed in this book like Paul’s other writings. We do know that Paul spent about three years in Ephesus, as he worked in the area to convert many to the gospel message and establish the church.

Ephesus was a very cosmopolitan place, a major stop on the trade routes, and it is in this setting that Paul delivers a very stirring message on unity in Christ and thankfulness for GOD’s goodness. We should also know that Paul wrote this letter when he was in prison in Rome. What did Paul have to be thankful for while sitting in a prison?

Here we see that Paul is giving thanks for the good news that he has heard of the church in Ephesus. We see here that Paul is praying that the believers will receive wisdom that comes in a deeper knowledge of Christ. Paul prays that the faithful may see more clearly, not with their eyes, but with their hearts. That they may more fully understand the riches that await them in their Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Paul was anxious that they should see that the Christian’s hope is based on the facts of redemption. They had the forgiveness of sins, they were children of God, but still their eyes were clouded. He wanted them to have the hope that would suggest to them more than they had dreamed. Hope is a mixture of faith and assurance, but it looks to the future for its completion.

It is in this context that Paul presents Christ as the centre and the Head of the church. While the body is one and the church is one, both are made up of various members, each having divers gifts which could be put together in harmony by work together.

We, as part of the body of Christ and his bride the church, have a responsibility not only to him but also to our fellow believers. In the same way that Paul offers a prayer of thanksgiving for the believers in Ephesus, we too should offer a prayer of thanksgiving for those that are around us. Today we give thanks for many who serve and have served the church and the community at large.

Today we give thanks to GOD for his providing us our needs and watching over us. We can and should thank him for the things that he has done for us and for the unseen things that he does for each of us. Thank him for the great sacrifice that he made in allowing His son to come to this earth to show us a better way. Thank him for the gift of eternal life that he provided through the sacrifice of His son on the cross of Calvary. Thank Him for not giving up on us as sinners even though we did not deserve His attention. Thank Him for the trials that we go through each day not knowing why, but He does.

This point could be illustrated with the hymn written by a German pastor, Martin Rinkart, who buried five thousand of his parishioners in one year, an average of fifteen a day during the Thirty Years’ War in 1636. In those difficult times he sat down and wrote:

Now thank we all our God with heart and hands and voices;

Who wondrous things hath done in whom His world rejoices.

Who, from our mother’s arms hath blessed us on our way

With countless gifts of love and still is ours today.

Here was a man who knew thanksgiving comes from love of God, not from outward circumstances.

Today each of us can thank GOD for the opportunity that we have in taking part in the furthering of his work.

So what does thankfulness mean to us?

We can be thankful for the unknown future, for the opportunity to learn and grow, for our limitations and the opportunity to improve, for the challenges we have, for our differences, also for the good things, for our blessings, life and many other things.

When we stop and think about it for a minute and we are truly honest with ourselves then there are many things in which to be thankful to the Lord for. Jesus Christ made the greatest sacrifice on our behalf; he gave up his life so that we may live forever. Are we willing to give thanks to Him who is worthy of all our praise and adoration? Are we willing to turn our life over to Him fully? Are we able to trust Him in every situation.

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” (Col. 2:7)

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” (Col. 3:15)

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful”. (Col. 4:2)

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”. (1 Thes. 5:16-18)

Krikor Youmshajekian